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Monday, 15 October 2012

Family History Through The Alphabet Challenge : W is for...

I remember when I first dabbled in the land of Wills and Probate, Letters of Administration and Codicils. I was really nervous about delving into my ancestor's private (and sometimes, quirky) bequests and personal estate details. Even though they are long dead, it still made me feel like a right nosey parker. That was until I received my first very will in the post. Five pages later, I was hooked (and slightly dumbfounded).

It's fair to say that since those early days I have overcome my fear of being nosey. Mild curiosity has given way to blatant detective work. Thanks to some Wills I've received I have been able to uncover previously unknown siblings, offspring, even grandchildren and neighbours. Some Wills, if they are detailed enough, offer a tiny insight into their individual character.

For example, one will I received was quite specific (and lengthy) about who was bequeathed what, with individual persons stated in bequests with the term, "in the event of their death, it shall be passed to (----------) and not (----------). Lots of words like executors, messuages, trustees, exonerate, hereditaments, had me in a five-page tailspin. My 3 x great-grandfather was either very meticulous or just plain paranoid. It took almost 3 weeks transcribe it.

Image courtesy of National Archives

Another example, from a 3 x great-grandfather on my father's side:"To the said (---------) my large Bible, To my son (-------) the case of Stuffed Birds and the bed bedding and furniture in the large bedroom To my said son (-------) the two pictures "Daniel" and "Jeremias" the oak chest in the living room the large chest of drawers now standing in the parlour and all the beds and bedding not hereinbefore bequeathed..."

Or this one from a 4 x great-grand uncle:"I give and bequeath all my ready money, money in the Bank monies --- interest securities for money and all other monies whatsoever which may be due or become due to me at my decease together with all my household goods and furniture plate linen and china whatsoever and whensoever situate unto (--------)..."The Will of my first cousin 3 x removed is rather concise but all the same, to me it is rather poignant. He was killed in action in 1918:"I (---------) at present a Captain in His Majesty's Essex Regiment hereby declare this to be my last Will I give devise and bequeath all and singular the real and personal property of which I shall be possessed unto and to the use of my wife (--------)..."

These are great. I really need to send for the will of the man who owned my Cleage ancestors in Athens, Tennessee in the 1850s and see if they are mentioned in the will as he bequeaths them to his children, along with the bed linens.

Wills can be intriguing - always provided they exist. One of mine in particular has given me a few challenges. I still can't get past a comment like Kristin's -knowing slavery existed and yet hearing it from a contemporary is so confronting - I doubt I'll ever get used to it.

Thanks for your comment Pauleen. I don't know what challenge you are facing but I did find one of my first cousins 3xremoved had been listed under the wrong surname (spelling error). If it can happen in BMD indexes and census returns it can happen in Probate indexes as well. xx

I must confess I had help with the transcription. We were both volunteers at the Genealogical Society and he had oodles of experience with Wills! That and my nursing experience which helps with transcribing messy Doctor's writing!! xx